Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’, particularly selected for its yield potential, uniformity of fruit shape and size, stability of production, fruit flavor, and shelf life, is disclosed.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ originated from a controlled cross between the proprietary strawberry female parent ‘94AC339’ (unpatented) and the proprietary strawberry male parent ‘104AC272’ (unpatented). Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’, were asexually propagated via stolons in Shasta County, Calif. in May 2016. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ was later specifically identified and selected in Santa Barbara County, Calif. in April 2017.

‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and has undergone testing at test plots in Monterey County, Calif. for four years (2018 to 2022) and Santa Barbara County, Calif. for three years (2017 to 2018 and 2020 to 2022). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ was particularly selected for its yield potential, uniformity of fruit shape and size, stability of production, fruit flavor, and shelf life.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Unless otherwise indicated, the photographs are of plants that are five to twelve months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surface of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’.

FIG. 4 illustrates the leaves of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’.

FIG. 5 illustrates an aerial view of whole plants of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of whole plants of variety ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Monterey County, Calif. from 2018 to 2022, and Santa Barbara County, Calif. from 2017 to 2018 and 2020 to 2022. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ was taken from plants that were five to twelve months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The RHS Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (RHS) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘94AC339’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘104AC272’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—30.7 cm.         -   Diameter.—48.4 cm.         -   Height/width ratio.—0.63.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—6.6.         -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright.         -   Density of foliage.—Dense.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per mother.—86.         -   Diameter (at bract).—3.6 mm.         -   Overall color.—RHS 144A (Strong yellow green).         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Strong.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 46A (Strong red).         -   Density of pubescence.—Sparse. -   Fruiting truss:     -   -   Length (from crown to base of terminal flower or fruit).—34             cm.         -   Diameter (at base of truss).—0.41 cm.         -   Number of berries per truss.—6.4.         -   Attitude at first picking.—Prostrate.         -   Color (at base of truss).—RHS 145B (Light yellow green). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of leaf upper surface.—RHS 147A (Moderate olive             green).         -   Color of leaf lower surface.—RHS 148B (Moderate yellow             green).         -   Blistering.—Absent or weak.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: 7.4 cm. Width: 7.2 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.03. Number of teeth per terminal             leaflet: 21.1. Overall shape: Orbicular. Shape of base:             Acute. Shape of apex: Rounded. Margin: Serrate to crenate.             Margin profile: Revolute (margins rolled backwards). Shape             in cross section: Straight.         -   Petiole.—Length: 234 mm. Diameter: 2.9 mm. Overall color:             RHS 145A (Strong yellow green). Pubescence: Sparse. Attitude             of hairs: Upwards. Bract frequency (number present on each             petiole): 0.08.         -   Petiolule.—Length: 13 mm. Diameter: 1.83 mm. Color: RHS 145A             (Strong yellow green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 32 mm. Width: 9.1 mm. Stipule color: RHS             164B (Moderate orange yellow). Anthocyanin coloration:             Absent or very weak. Pubescence: Medium. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Number of flowers per plant.—2.9.         -   Position of inflorescence in relation to foliage.—Same             level.         -   Flowering interval.—Mid-March to early November.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Horizontal.         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 23.8 mm. Arrangement of petals:             Touching. Size of calyx in relation to corolla: Same size.             Receptacle color: RHS 12B (Brilliant yellow). Stamen:             Present. Anther color: RHS 12A (Vivid yellow).         -   Petal.—Length: 11.3 mm. Width: 11.1 mm. Length/width ratio:             1.02. Number of petals per flower: 6.1. Color of upper             surface: RHS NN155D (White). Color of lower surface: RHS             NN155C (White). Overall shape: Orbicular. Shape of apex:             Rounded. Margin: Entire. Shape of base: Concavo-convex.         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 25.8 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length: 10.1 mm. Width: 4.7 mm. Number of sepals per             flower: 12.7. Overall shape: Elliptical. Margin: Entire. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit size.—Length: 39.3 mm. Width: 35mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.12.         -   Fruit hollow.—Length: 15.4 mm. Width: 8.1 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.90.         -   Shape.—Cordate.         -   Difference in shape of terminal and other fruits.—None or             very slight.         -   Fruit color.—RHS N34A (Moderate red).         -   Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Width of band without achenes.—Absent or very narrow.         -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Inserted.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Outwards.         -   Diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit.—Same             size.         -   Adherence of calyx.—Very strong.         -   Firmness.—Medium firm.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 42B (Strong reddish             orange).         -   Evenness of flesh color.—Slightly uneven.         -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.         -   Color of core.—RHS 31D (Moderate yellowish pink).         -   Sweetness/soluble solids (in ° Brix).—8.4.         -   Titratable acidity (as % citric acid).—0.87%.         -   Individual fruit weight.—22.7 g/fruit.         -   Achenes.—Number of achenes per fruit: 209. Weight: 0.0005             g/achene. Color of upper (sunward) side: RHS N34A (Moderate             red). Color of lower (shaded) side: RHS 1A (Brilliant             greenish yellow).         -   Fruiting.—Harvest interval: Mid-April to early November.             Type of bearing: Day neutral. Productivity: 97,081 kg to             124,176 kg of fruit per hectare per season from             five-month-old plants when grown in Monterey County, Calif. -   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases:     -   -   Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             resistant.         -   Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum acutatum).—Moderately             resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND REFERENCE VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ differs from the female parent proprietary strawberry plant ‘94AC339’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ has larger fruit, higher yield potential, lower shelf life, and less firm fruit as compared to ‘94AC339’.

‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ differs from the male parent proprietary strawberry plant ‘104AC272’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ has smaller fruit with more regular shape, higher vigor, and lower shelf life as compared to ‘104AC272’.

‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawFortyFour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,801) in that ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ has an acute terminal leaflet base, upwards attitude of petiole hairs, absent or very weak stipule anthocyanin coloration, and medium fruit glossiness, whereas ‘DrisStrawFortyFour’ has a rounded terminal leaflet base, outwards to horizontal attitude of petiole hairs, strong to very strong stipule anthocyanin coloration, and strong fruit glossiness.

‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,749) in that ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ has horizontal attitude of pedicel hairs, inserted position of calyx attachment, day neutral type of bearing, and the width of band without achenes on fruit is absent or very narrow, whereas ‘DrisStrawFiftyThree’ has upwards attitude of pedicel hairs, raised position of calyx attachment, partially remontant type of bearing, and the width of band without achenes on fruit is broad. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawOneHundredThree’ as shown and described herein. 